> Iah knows all, sees all

>

> ―Kraej City graffiti

Asteria

I followed the Lifer to the private dining room where Magnus was waiting. He was looking dapper as usual in a perfectly fitted three-piece suit.

“Good afternoon,” I said as I took my seat. “I’m glad you’re here early.”

“Good afternoon,” said Magnus. “I think we should talk before Seraph arrives.”

I nodded. “Okay, but please don’t serve the food yet. I don’t want to start until Seraphiel arrives.”

“Alright. Have you recovered?”

“Oh, yes. The doctor told you that, didn’t he?” I didn’t know for sure, but ever since we met in Kraej City, I’ve always assumed that Magnus kept tabs on me. Or rather, his Lifers did.

At a signal from Magnus, one of his staff placed a velvet box on the table in front of me.

“Is this jewelry? You know it would be inappropriate to give jewelry to me,” I said.

“It’s from my mother. Her way of thanking you for saving her house and other properties,” said Magnus.

I opened it. The box contained a matching set of diamond, ruby, and pearl jewelry. “Wow.”

“I’ve sent the rest to the apartment my mother gave you. It’s in the safe.”

The rest? How much jewelry did Madam Kraej send? “The triplex? You haven’t sold that?”

“Why would I sell it? My mother gave you that apartment.”

“Normally, I would refuse jewelry, but since I just saved the city, I’ll take it as my reward. And the apartment your mother gave me, too,” I said.

“Good.” Magnus smiled.

“After all, I saved the city, what? Billions worth of property?” I chuckled.

“Trillions,” said Magnus. “Is there anything you want?”

“I’ve been thinking about going on vacation.”

“I have a lot of lovely vacation properties. My staff will take care of everything for you,” said Magnus.

“I was thinking of going to Aalborg.”

“Aalborg is lovely this time of the year. I have a house near the Yacht Club there that you can use. In fact, you can use my yacht, too.”

“Your yacht?”

“I hardly have time to use it now.” Magnus shook his head and gazed out of the window, a faraway look in his eyes.

“You should take a break, too,” I said.

“I wish I had time.” Magnus turned back to me and added, “I can get you your own yacht.”

I laughed. “Magnus, please. I don’t want to be stuck with the maintenance costs. I’d rather just borrow my rich friend’s yacht.”

“True, true. Operating and maintenance costs for a yacht are ridiculous.”

“Rich people problems. I’ll go on vacation when Oren and Katja return.”

“I don’t think a few days on a yacht counts as a reward for saving the city. Don’t you want something bigger?”

“Something bigger than a yacht? Well, as a matter of fact, I do.” Good. He’d taken the bait. “Can I borrow your submarine for a few days?”

Magnus raised his eyebrows. “Sure, why not?”

I coughed. “It’s not for me. It’s for Sofia.”

“I see.” Magnus didn’t seem surprised.

In “Tales of Vesterland,” the hero’s party had stolen the submarine. It was a comedic chapter featuring crossdressing and improbable disguises. Much as I’d love to see Oren in drag, I thought it would be more sensible to arrange things properly. I couldn’t risk some random soldier getting in a lucky shot and killing the hero while he was sneaking into a restricted military base.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

“Great, I’ll let them know they can borrow the submarine for a bit,” I said.

“Why don’t you let me do it?”

“Oren doesn’t trust the Kraej.”

“I can change his mind.” Magnus steepled his fingers and gave me a tight, closed-lip smile.

He was serious! I leaned back and placed a hand over my chest. I said, “My goodness.”

“You don’t believe me? I can do it.”

“Um.” I fiddled with my necklace as I thought about Magnus’ proposal.

Come to think of it, in the game, when the heroes were midway through their campaign to overthrow the Kraej Company by gathering all of the anti-Kraej factions together, the band of heroes suddenly changed their target to Sariel. I honestly couldn’t remember why. I remember that the Kraej CEO, Magnus’ father, had a long conversation with them, but I skipped through that scene. I gather that he persuaded them that they had a common enemy, Sariel.

Was real life going to go the same way? Could Magnus really get Oren and the others on his side?

I suddenly realized that I knew the plot from “Tales of Vesterland,” but the people of this world didn’t. So why hadn’t Magnus asked me why Oren and Sofia needed the submarine?

“Do you know what they’re going to do with the submarine?” I asked.

“While you were.... asleep, the priestess and the others went to find the flower. I sent my men to take pictures of the books in the temple archives. She must want to search for the source of the monster waves.”

Trust the Kraej to never let an opportunity slip by.

“Correct. What do you think it is?” I asked.

“My people told me that it’s most likely an artifact from the time when the lost continent of Eatuhea sank beneath the ocean since the monsters seem to be headed in that direction.”

Correct. The monster wave was caused by an ancient artifact that the Eatuheans had used to repel monsters from one of their settlements. The Iah spawn had caused it to malfunction and attract monsters instead of repelling them.

“Alright,” I said. In the unlikely event that Magnus failed, I think I should be able to persuade the hero to use the submarine.

“That doesn’t count as a reward for you since I was planning to talk to them about it anyway,” said Magnus.

“My interference wasn’t needed then,” I said.

It was nice to know that the game’s main plot was working as it should. I guess the butterfly effects of my presence had made Magnus involved instead of his father, but it should still be okay.

“You do mean ‘persuade’ them, right? Not with threats or blackmail or something like that?” I wished I hadn’t skipped over that cutscene. I had the sinking feeling that it contained important information.

Magnus just smirked at me. This guy needed to be taken down a peg or two.

“By the way, have I told you that your hair looks ridiculous?” Magnus still had that slicked-back hairstyle. “You look like the villain from a gangster movie.”

“Thanks, that’s the idea.” Magnus ran his hand over his hair.

“That’s a terrible idea. You look like a parody of yourself.”

“What? I do not.” Magnus frowned at me.

I rolled my eyes. “People acting like villains in movies are trying to look like you. You copying the people trying to look like you is-”

I paused. Magnus and I had known each other since we were children, and we were friendly, but there were still limits. He was a Kraej.

“What?” Magnus raised an eyebrow again.

“I was going to say ‘laughable,’ but that might hurt your feelings, so I won’t.” I covered my mouth with a hand and looked away to hide my smile.

“Bah,” said Magnus.

“Don’t pout.”

“You’re wrong. Lots of people told me they liked my new hairstyle.”

“People? You mean men. They must be pleased with your new look since it’s less competition for them. Have any women told you they liked it?”

Magnus was silent for a moment as he mulled this over, then he said, “I won’t fall for such an obvious attempt to manipulate me.”

I smiled. “On the other hand, please don’t change your hairstyle until after dinner with Seraph. That way he won’t feel threatened.”

“Mirror,” said Magnus to his Lifers. One of them left and returned with a large oval mirror. Magnus examined his reflection, turning his head this way and that. Finally, he said, “I’ll be right back.”

“Take your time,” I said.

Magnus left. He returned a few minutes later with his hair in his old hairstyle.

“Happy?” asked Magnus.

“At least you didn’t shave your head bald like Sariel,” I said.

There was a knock on the door then Seraph entered. He was in a plain white dress shirt, black jeans, leather biker jacket, and boots. He looked like a disreputable god.

I got up and gave him a hug. “Sweetie.”

Magnus rose and they shook hands, murmuring their greetings to each other. The staff brought in the food and talk became more general until the dessert course.

“By the way, Asteria, why didn’t you patent your glow products?” asked Magnus.

“It’s not much of a patent, is it? Those chemical properties had been discovered decades ago. Besides, I want people to be able to make the products without too much red tape,” I said.

“It’s not ‘people’ who are making products. It’s companies who are using your glow paint and fabric production process,” said Magnus. “I’ve gone ahead and registered those patents in your name. You’ll start getting the checks next year.”

Companies? I thought it was just that one small factory that I’d tapped to make stuff for my party.

“I’m not sure that’s necessary,” I said.

“If you don’t patent it, that leaves it open for other people to get the patent,” said Magnus.

“Oh.”

“You’re too naive. Don’t give away things without getting something in return. I’ve also made sure that you’ll get the credit you deserve for the next House of Teilmann collection.”

“What? Credit?” I didn’t remember doing anything for Valdemar’s next collection.

Magnus massaged his temples. “He’s basing next season’s collection on the clothes you helped design.”

“He is? Okay.” Right, I forgot about the glow party outfits and nightclub wear I’d helped with. In my defense, I’d been busy with more important things, but it must seem to Magnus like I was a babe in the woods being taken advantage of.

Magnus and Seraphiel exchanged meaningful glances. I pouted and tugged on Seraphiel’s hair.

“Hey now, don’t start,” I said to Seraphiel.

“Eat your fruit,” said Seraphiel. He pointed a fork at the berries in cream dish that I’d been neglecting. “You need the nutrients.”

Ever since the doctor told me that I should eat more vegetables and fruit in order to fully heal, Seraphiel had been like a nagging wife when it came to healthy eating.

The talk around the dinner table became more general and relaxed.

How interesting that Magnus had told me not to give away things for free. One of his lines from the game was “I don’t give away things without getting something in return.”

Could it be a sign that he was now part of the hero’s story even though he’d only been in the game’s sequels?